WETHERSFIELD, Unemployment claims for the two-week period
ending March 10 averaged 56,257, up 2,101 or 3.9 percent from the previous
period, State Labor Commissioner Patricia H. Mayfield reported today.

Compared with the same period a year ago, unemployment claims
were up by 1,207 – an increase of 2.2 percent.

Regular state initial
(first-time) filings decreased to 4,343 from the prior two-week level of 4,816.
Continued claims increased to 51,914 from 49,340. Included in these figures
were 4,687 temporary filings. Regular benefits expired for 725 claimants.

The insured unemployment rate, defined as continued claims filed during the most
recent 13-week period, was 2.8 percent. That is up from 2.7 percent two weeks
ago and down from 2.9 percent one year ago – when the number of claims statewide
totaled 55,050.

Claims activity was up
in all of the 14 Connecticut Department of Labor offices throughout the state.